Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville among first nonprofits to receive $25,000 in disaster relief following Winter Storm Fern

Heather Mencke, Senior Director of Programs at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, recently spoke with WKRN News 2 about ongoing recovery efforts following the winter storm that impacted Davidson County. Catholic Charities was among the first nonprofits selected to receive $25,000 in disaster relief funding from United Way, helping expand support for individuals and families facing storm-related hardships.

Select image to watch story.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit our Disaster Recovery page to learn more about available resources.

The gentle giant who keeps the peace

A familiar and beloved presence at Loaves & Fishes in Nashville, Safety Resources Specialist Hollis Biffle was recently featured in a profile by Brad Schmitt of The Tennessean.

Though only six months into his current role, Hollis is already known for meeting each guest with compassion and respect. Whether offering a listening ear, building friendships, or helping ease tense moments, he brings calm and dignity to everyone who walks through the door.

As Hollis shares, Loaves & Fishes is about more than serving 600 meals each week. It is about connection, restoring dignity, and reminding every guest that they are loved as children of God.

America 250 truck donates 40K pounds of food to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville

40,000 pounds of food and the first of many deliveries to arrive across the nation.

On January 15, a semi-truck arrived carrying 40,000 pounds of food thanks to a generous donation from JustServe.Org and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville is honored to be the first location to receive this type of donation, with similar deliveries planned for other communities.

WKRN coverage of America 250 truck donation to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville.
WKRN was on the scene at the Catholic Pastoral Center to cover the donation unpacking. Select image to watch.

 

With forklifts and teamwork, the truck was unloaded in about an hour. We are redistributing this food to pantries at our seven Family Resource Centers throughout Middle Tennessee, helping nourish our neighbors in need across the region. We estimate that 1,400 families will be helped in the next few weeks with this gift.

Channel 5 news coverage of America 250 donation to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville.
Heather Mencke, Senior Director, Programs, answers questions from Eric Pointer, News Channel 5. Select image to watch.

Catholic Charities Able to Help Bombing Victims Quickly

 

 

At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, we exist to support individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by crisis. That may mean a natural disaster, a traumatic event, or a sudden loss that leaves people without stability or support.

We were recently recognized for our role in helping those affected by the 2020 bombing in downtown Nashville. As a qualified nonprofit partner, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville was selected by the State of Tennessee to administer emergency assistance to nearly 2,000 residents and business owners whose homes, workplaces, and livelihoods were impacted when multiple blocks of the city center became uninhabitable for months.

Our Executive Director, Judy Orr, was interviewed by Stacey Cameron of WSMV as part of this story and spoke about the importance of responding quickly and compassionately when people are displaced from their homes or businesses.

We are grateful for the trust placed in us and honored to continue serving our neighbors with love, hope, and healing.

Read the full story on the the WSMV-4 website.

A Generous Donation

We’re extending our sincerest thanks to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and Chef’s Deal Restaurant Equipment for their incredible generosity. When several of our refrigerators were failing or over capacity, these organizations stepped in and delivered five new units to several of our Family Resource Centers—a donation valued at $17,700. Their support ensures our pantries can keep food fresh and ready for the families we serve.

Photo of new refrigerator at Catholic Pastoral Center.

Highlighting Generosity

Catholic Charities is deeply grateful to Holy Family Catholic Church for their ongoing support of our many ministries that help neighbors in need. Their most recent donation included car seats, port-a-cribs, blankets, clothing, and diapers of all sizes—all much needed items for new and expectant mothers across the Diocese of Nashville who come to us for help.

Baby items donation at Catholic Pastoral Center, Nashville, TN.

Please consider donating to our pantries via our Amazon Wishlist at http://bit.ly/4qNTj4V or by dropping off supplies to any of our pantries—find your nearest at cctenn.org/locations.

Ribbon-Cutting at C. E. McGruder Center

Earlier this month, we celebrated the reopening of the newly renovated C. E. McGruder Center in North Nashville.

The morning began with a heartfelt prayer from Reverend John Beach, joined by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Beach, followed by remarks from Brittany Irby, Senior Director of Civic and Community Engagement in the office of Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County, Executive Director Judy Orr, and Program Director Nicole Bailey. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting and guided tours of the building.

Special shout out to M. Simone Boyd, whose tireless dedication and advocacy helped make this transformation of the McGruder Center possible. Special thanks to Sid Stanley whose generous gift to the center demonstrates his deep belief in Catholic Charities’ mission.

The Catholic Charities Family Resource Center at C.E. McGruder embodies our mission of bringing love, hope, and healing to friends and neighbors in need. It is a one-stop resource hub for emergency assistance, emotional support, and employment services. We are proud to serve as managing agency, hosting our valued partners including Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, Preston Taylor Ministries, The Nashville Food Project, and many more.

Front of C. E. McGruder Center building in North Nashville, TN.

Ribbon cutting ceremony Singing met with applauseBrittany Irby

Love, Hope, and a Good Night’s Sleep

While October heralds the harvest season and a wave of gratitude for our abundance, many of our neighbors increasingly face hunger, housing insecurity, or financial hardship. Often their needs go deeper.

I am heartened by strong support from our donors to answer the call to help. By sharing your abundance, you make a difference for those in need—a family searching for safe, affordable housing, a young couple learning to manage their finances, or a young adult determined to gain new job skills. Simply put, Catholic Charities can’t provide these vital ministries without your help.

In any given month, around 2,000 people across Middle Tennessee from all faiths turn to our family resource centers. There, through our holistic care model, Catholic Charities helps remove barriers to self-reliance with:

  • Emergency assistance such as housing and hunger relief, in a crisis
  • Emotional support and life-skills counseling like financial literacy, to encourage stability
  • Employment services and training to restore dignity and open doors to sustainable employment with benefits

Please consider a tax-deductible gift to our $2 million campaign. Together we can ensure struggling individuals and families do not go without food, shelter, or hope.

As Scripture reminds us: “We have been called by love to serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

God bless you for bringing love, hope, and healing to those most in need.

Give the Gift of Love Now

Volunteers serve food to the needy.

A Silver Lining: Volunteers Bring Hope

We’re grateful for a recent surge in volunteers just when recent funding reductions have increased the need for every helping hand.

One shining example is Alan Robertson, a retired architect and member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, who wanted to serve Spanish-speaking neighbors in need. He volunteers twice a week at our South Nashville Family Resource Center. Alan says, “I love it. It gives me a great sense of purpose.

Join us! We’re currently seeking volunteers with skills in accounting, project management, and other professional fields to help grow our programs and impact.

Discover Volunteer Opportunities

Two pairs of hands holding home symbol.

Imagine Sleeping on the Floor

Imagine sleeping on the hard floor of a small apartment for months. That was the reality for a father and son in Middle Tennessee—until Mattress Firm stepped in. Through a new partnership with Catholic Charities, the company has agreed to donate dozens of new beds each year, helping families gain comfort, dignity, and a better night’s sleep.

The family first came to a Catholic Charities food distribution event and quickly learned they qualified for multiple services: immigration assistance, monthly food boxes, hygiene supplies, help with medical bills—even school shoes for the little boy.

Now, with a safe, comfortable place to sleep, the family has renewed hope and stability. They are deeply grateful for the community’s love and support—and are inspired to give back in return.

Learn About Ways to Give

P.S. As Judy Orr prepares to retire next year, the search for her successor is underway. (View the job posting here.) Our Board and Judy are focused on a seamless handoff, and our team is energized to advance the agency’s mission.